Sunset Sherbert Zoanthids

WYSIWYG — the coral pictured is the exact specimen you receive, not a stock photo. Quantity one.

Under actinic light, the polyps have a purple body, a mottled fluorescent cyan and purple oral disc, and bright fluorescent orange-red tentacle tips.

At a glance

• Species: Zoanthus sp.
• Polyps: 3
• Frag size: 1.25" across
• Placement: Bottom to lower-middle rock
• Mounted on: ceramic frag plug

Care

Zoanthids are among the most forgiving corals in the hobby. They tolerate a wide range of light and flow, and colour up hardest under blue-heavy lighting. Give them enough flow to keep detritus off the polyps but not so much that they stay closed. They spread readily across a plug and will encrust onto adjacent rock, so leave a little room around them.

Acclimation

Float the sealed bag for 15 minutes to equalise temperature, then drip acclimate for 30–45 minutes before placing. Start the coral low in the tank and move it up over a week or two if it wants more light. A freshwater or iodine dip before it goes in is cheap insurance against hitchhikers.

Photographed under blue/actinic aquarium lighting, which is how most reef tanks are viewed. Colours will look different under white light.